Dynamic preparation of TiO2 films for fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Preparation of nanocrystalline porous titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) films with roll-to-roll compatible methods was studied. Gravure printing was used for spreading TiO 2 paste and paper calendering for pressing TiO 2 nanoparticle films. Influence of different preparation methods on performance of fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. The attained light into electricity conversion efficiency was compared with DSSCs fabricated on conductive plastic substrates by doctor-blading spreading with subsequent static pressing. The latter method achieved a light conversion efficiency as high as 5.1%. The efficiency of the cells with a gravure printed TiO 2 film was found to be rather low. The highest conversion efficiency was 1.7%; this is concluded to be due to insufficient thickness of the gravure printed TiO 2 films. Calendering of the doctor-bladed films on the other hand attained a light conversion efficiency of 4.7%.